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Key people at SideReel.
SideReel operates as a dedicated television show tracking website, providing users with a comprehensive platform to monitor their favorite series. The service compiles detailed information on shows, aggregates related news and content, and offers direct links to episodes available online, alongside forums for community discussion and reviews. It effectively functions as a centralized resource for TV enthusiasts navigating a diverse media landscape.
The company was founded in 2007 by Zach Larson and Peter Arzhintar. Their insight stemmed from the growing fragmentation of television content across various platforms, recognizing the need for a singular hub where viewers could effortlessly keep track of their viewing habits. This foundational idea aimed to simplify the process of discovering and following episodic entertainment.
SideReel primarily serves television viewers seeking an organized and interactive way to engage with their preferred shows. Users leverage the platform to manage their watchlists, participate in discussions, and stay informed about their favorite series. The company's vision centers on remaining a leading resource for television discovery and tracking, continually enhancing the user experience for its community of dedicated fans.
SideReel is a television show tracking website that helps users find, track, rate, review, and watch TV series online by aggregating links to episodes, schedules, discussions, reviews, and news.[1][5][6][7] It serves TV enthusiasts seeking a centralized hub for discovery and community interaction, solving the problem of fragmented content access across streaming services and platforms without producing or publishing content itself.[1][4] The platform fosters user collaboration via forums and social features like Facebook Connect, building a sense of community around shows.[1] Growth has included surpassing 1 million unique daily visitors by 2011 and integration into larger entertainment networks, though mobile apps were discontinued due to unprofitability.[1]
SideReel launched on February 24, 2007 (initially noted as April in some reports), quickly gaining attention with a feature in CNET's Webware "beta watch."[1] Founders included Roman Arzhintar, highlighted as a key early figure directing fans to show interactions.[4] The idea emerged as a fan hub for tracking and accessing TV content online, evolving from a simple aggregator to a collaborative platform.[1][7] Pivotal moments include its 2011 acquisition by Rovi Corporation, which boosted traffic to over 1 million unique visitors daily and led to the Allrovi.com launch; a 2013 spin-off into All Media Network alongside sites like AllMusic and AllMovie, backed by original founders and investor Mike Ackrell; and a 2020 sale to Netaktion LLC.[1][2] A 2014 iOS app launch expanded access before apps were pulled for lack of profitability.[1]
SideReel rides the cord-cutting and streaming fragmentation trend, where viewers juggle multiple platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and free web sources, making centralized trackers essential for discovery.[1][2] Timing aligned with early Web 2.0 social features in 2007 and TV's shift to on-demand, positioning it as a pre-cursor to modern apps like TV Time or JustWatch.[1][5] Market forces favoring it include rising TV consumption (hundreds of series tracked) and ad tech growth, as seen in Playwire partnerships amplifying revenue for entertainment networks.[3] It influences the ecosystem by powering user-generated content aggregation under All Media Network, aiding smaller sites like Celebified while competing in a publisher-monetization space dominated by big tech.[2][3]
SideReel remains a niche staple for TV superfans, but its trajectory hinges on adapting to AI-driven recommendations and evolving ad tech amid declining app viability.[1][3] Next steps could involve revitalizing mobile presence or deeper integrations with streaming APIs, capitalizing on All Media Network's portfolio for cross-promotion with AllMusic/AllMovie.[2] Trends like personalized content via machine learning and privacy-focused social features will shape it, potentially expanding influence in a post-cookie ad world if monetization scales sustainably.[3] As streaming wars intensify, SideReel's aggregation edge could solidify its role as an enduring fan hub, echoing its 2007 origins in simplifying TV chaos.[1]
Key people at SideReel.
